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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRC minutes 101314M E M B E R S P R E S E N T STAFF Joyce Preslar Andrea Jones Christine Kelly- Kleese James Davis Vanessa Soleil Matthew Hughes Marc Xavier Pamela Reynolds Natalie Turner Gerald Ponder Rollin Russell Monica Richard G U E S T S Beth Vazquez Joey Honeycutt Absent: Jamie Paulen, Doris Brunson and Dominika Baran L Call To Order Co -Chair Gerald Ponder called the meeting to order at 6:14p.m. II. Introductions There was brief discussion on the need for new members to have name plates III. Minutes Approval Matthew Hughes identified a typographical error — misspelled name - in the minutes as presented. Rollin Russell made a motion to approve the September 2014 minutes as corrected. The motion was seconded by Joyce Preslar and carried unanimously. IV. County Updates James Davis reminded the body that the BOCC is expecting an update on the HRC's activities, specifically with regard to gender equity, later this fall. James also stated that the annual report is due on Friday, December 5, 2014. Matthew stated that he would be willing to make a verbal report to the BOCC on the actions taken by the HRC to address gender equity. It was recommended that there be a co- presenter. James will send both the annual report and the report on the HRC's actions to address gender equity to the members via email. There was brief discussion on the notion that the HRC develop a Women's Forum. This notion will be revisited to determine whether the HRC has the capacity to include this event along with the other regularly scheduled annual events. Vanessa Soleil suggested that the HRC consider addressing issues related to gender identity and the transgender community. These issues will be referred to the Diversity Matters subcommittee. Joyce proposed the question on whether there is information available on how the County addresses pay equity. Rollin asked whether the BOCC has a policy and how the policy is Page 1 of 3 enforced. Rollin recommended that there should be a resolution on pay equity and that the HRC should avail itself to help enforce the policy. James will discover whether there is a policy. There was additional discussion on wages, specifically whether there is access to the private sector information to determine wage gaps. It was suggested that any information obtained may not be easily interpreted because of unknown variables that determine a person's pay. James passed around the Karen - language fair housing poster for the members to view. V. Subcommittee Updates Executive Committee: The members unanimously voted for Andrea Jones to the office of secretary. Andrea will, among other things, assist the HRC in disseminating information via social media. There was discussion on whether to host a planning retreat. The retreat has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 5t' from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Whitted Human Services Building in Hillsborough. Building Integrated Communities (BIC): No Report. Diversity Matters: Rollin announced that letters of invitation to the 2015 Community Read will be sent to the libraries and local book clubs. These letters will ask the book clubs to read the selected book and to stay tuned for the announcement of the date and venue of the event to discuss the book. Donna Bickford will be contacted to moderate the discussion. There is a need to confirm panelists Donna Bickford and Mary Ray, as well as moderator Ann Gerhardt for the Human Relations Month Forum. Natalie Turner will contact Mary Ray, Executive Director of the Interfaith Prison Ministry for Women. Monica Richard will contact Donna Bickford. There was discussion on the entertainment and catering for the event. Rollin made a motion that the band Lynn and the New Monarchs perform. Christine Kelly- Kleese seconded the motion. There was no motion on the caterer. Pauli Murray Awards: Gerald stated that subcommittee members have volunteered to contact churches and Pauli Murray family members. It was discussed that Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe cater the event in consideration that they received the 2013 Pauli Murray business award. James will contact Vimala's. Essay Contest It was recommended that the HRC ask the Sacrificial Poets to assist in soliciting contest participants. Andrea further recommended that the contest information be sent to the Literary Council. The members discussed the contest awards. Page 2 of 3 Poster Contest Pamela Reynolds reported that poster contest forms were distributed at the annual Festifall in Chapel Hill on October 5, 2014. Contest forms will be delivered to all of the public schools in accordance with the respective school boards' protocol. Forms will also be delivered via email to private and home schools. Collateral Consequences: Andrea stated that the Chapel Hill Justice in Action will host listening sessions. VL Guest Speakers Joey Honeycutt (Orange County Rape Crisis Center) and Beth Vazquez (Town of Chapel Hill Police Department) made a presentation on the need for Orange County to have a Child Advocacy Center (CAC). According to the presenters, 78 out of 100 counties in North Carolina have a CAC. Orange and Chatham Counties do not. Having a CAC will streamline and improve the child abuse system by providing a safe place for victims to report incidences and receive help. The Orange County Rape Crisis Center is seeking funding to staff a CAC and a venue to house a CAC. It was recommended that the need for a CAC be presented to the BOCC. Joyce volunteered to be on the CAC task force. VII. Other Business /Announcements No additional business /announcements. VIII. Adiourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. on a motion by Monica Richard. Respectfully Submitted: James E. Davis, Jr Interim Director Page 3 of 3